PS Plus Premium Game Trials: how to try PS5 games before you buy, how the timer works, and what carries over

2026-11-07 · PS Plus

Quick answer: Game Trials are time-limited versions of new and popular games you can play with a PlayStation Plus membership. In the US they're part of PS Plus Premium only. Essential and Extra don't include them. If you buy the game after the trial, Sony says your progress and trophies carry over to the full version.

Which tier includes Game Trials

Sony's US PS Plus page lists Game Trials as included with Premium and not included with Extra. Premium also adds the Classics Catalog, cloud streaming, and the Sony Pictures Catalog on top of everything in Extra.

In some other countries, the same top tier is called Deluxe. For a full comparison, see our PS Plus tiers guide.

Find and start a trial

1. On PS5, open the PlayStation Plus section from the Games home screen.

2. Look for the Game Trials collection. You can also search for it in PlayStation Store.

3. Pick a game and download the trial.

4. Launch it. Your trial time starts counting once you play.

You get one trial per game, and trials are mostly offered for PS5 games.

Hooked after the trial? Buy it for your own account or get it through Game Sharing in the Matrix Store catalog.

How the timer works

Each game sets its own limit, shown on the trial's store page. It's usually a few hours. Horizon Forbidden West, for example, offered five hours when Premium launched.

The clock only runs while you play. According to Push Square and T3, the timer pauses when you quit, and you can spread the remaining time across as many sessions as you like.

Time's up? You can keep going only in the full game.

What carries over

Sony says all your progress and trophies carry over if you decide to buy. Gaming outlets report that in-game purchases carry over too. Buy the same version of the game (PS5) on the same account.

Trials download to your console, so check your free space first. Our free up PS5 storage guide can help.

Game Trial vs. demo

A demo is a free slice of a game anyone can play, no membership needed. A Game Trial is the full game with a time limit, available only to members on the top PS Plus tier.

Want a hand?

We'll set up PS Plus on your account and help you pick games. Pay with USDT. Questions? Message us in the bot @matrix_eng_bot or our manager on Telegram.